Reclining chair



Aug. 9, 1932. R. E. KocHs 1,871,184

RECLINING CHAIR Filed May 26. 1950 2 Sheets-Sheet; l

R. E. KOCHS 7 1,871,184

RECLINING CHAIR Filed May 26. 1930 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Aug. 9, 1932.

Patented Aug. 9, 1932 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE ROBERT E. KOCIEIS, OF CHICAGO, ILLINOIS, ASSIG-NOR TO TI-IEO. A. KOCI-IS COMPANY,

OF CHICAGO, ILLINOIS, A CORPORATION OF ILLINOIS RECLINING CHAIR Application filed May 26,

This invention relates to improvements in reclining chairs, and has particular reference to a novel locking means, operated by a foot control, for holding certain units of the chair in a selected position of adjustment. The principal object of this invention is toprovide in connection with such locking means a treadle control therefor operable conveniently from opposite side of the chair; and to so construct the lock and its operating parts as to maintain the adjustable chair units immovably in any desired position.

These and other objects, as will hereinafter appear, are accomplished by the present construction which is fully described in the following specification and shown in the accompanying drawings, in which- Figure 1 is a perspective view of a chair, such as is adapted for service in a beauty parlor;

Fig. 2 is an enlarged. vertical section through the base of the chair with the back, arms, seat, and apron removed, the locking mechanism being shown in elevation;

Fig. 3 is an enlarged vertical section of the locking mechanism, viewed as shown in Fig. 2; and

Fig. 4 is a transverse sectional view of the locking mechanism taken as indicated on line 44 of Fig. 3.

In the embodiment illustrated, A designates a suitable chair base upon which is pivotally mounted at 5 a back B. A cushion C is removably supported on the base, as is also an adjustable apron D pivotally mounted at 6 near its front edge. Arm rests E may be pivotally connected to the back at 7 and similarly connected at 8 to extensions 9 running up from the apron D. By reclining the back the apron will be simultaneously raised through the arm rest connections just described.

The back and apron are secured in any desired position by locking mechanism which, as shown, comprises a bar 10 pivotally connected at its forward end to the apron as shown in Fig. 2. This bar extends, by preference, toward the rear of the chair and substantially in its center. The base may be provided with a transverse support 11 from 1930.. Serial No. 455,599.

which depends a bracket 12 in the form of an inverted U (see Fig. 4). A transverse shaft 13 which is carried in suitable bearings in the bracket extends-substantially the width of the base, and has in its center a flat 14 cut to a desired depth. The bar 10 and transverse shaft 13 intersect within'the extensions of the'bracket 12, at which point the body 15 of the locking mechanism issupported. This body is provided with depending side walls 16 which are connected at their outer ends, and adjacent one edge, to form'a socket 17 The body is further provided with a bore 18 to slidably receive the bar 10, and with a transverse bore 19 extending through the walls 16, to receive the transverse shaft 13.

An opening 20 through the body and in communication with the bore 18 is adapted to receive a shoe 21, one edge of which is convexly formed to fit the bar 10. A lever 22, having a socket 23 at one end and a cam 24 at its Opposite end, is mounted on a pin 25 between the walls 16 of the body, and fittecl into the slot formed by the flat 14 of the transverse shaft. A coil spring 26 confined within the sockets 17 and 23 exerts an upward pressure on the lever 22 causing the cam 24 to bear against the shoe which thereupon engages the bar 10 to secure it against sliding movement in the body.

The clutch is operated by one or more foot pedals'27, each having a lever 28 extending therefrom to be pivotally supported in a bracket 29 which may be mounted on a cross brace 30 of. the chair base. Secured to each end of the transverse shaft 13 is a crank arm 31. Links 32 connect the extreme ends of the lever 28 and the crank arms 31, so that downward movement of one of the pedals 27 will rock the transverse shaft 13, as shown inFig. 2, in a clockwise direction; by this movement one of the edges of the flat 14 is brought into contact with the lever 22forcjusting movement of the back and apron of the chair.

It will be seen that the body of the rocking mechanism is capable of rocking Within the bracket 12 to follow the movement of the bar 10, one end of Which moves-in an are about the pivotpointfi. To prevent thellever 28 and the link 32 from passing their center, a pin 33 secured in the end of the lever 28 is adapted to bear against" the junction ofthe forked end of the'link'32before-thecenter-is reached.

The present locking mechanism and control means therefore is advantageousinthe res: spects of simplicity of construction, facility in: operation, and dependability: in; service: Itais to boob'served that the pedalrcontrol, a;s= shonm; is of; duplex character, the" location oflthe 'treadles being; by preference; near op posite sides-0f the chairyand in.'op'era-tion oneor' both hands:- of the attendant are free: to raise or lowerthebaclnas-desiredL The look, while acting frictionally tOsustainitlie. parts in a 1 selected adjustment, operatesvery;

b effectivelyin then ccomplishment' of' this endl ini every position: to Which-the parts are movable.v Because of these characteristics the chairlhere-in shown andidescribed ismeritoriousto an unusual degree;

Lclaimr v a 1. In combination with: aaoharin havingianadjustable back andzapron pivotally mounte'd-on the chair frame-With linked connec-- tions therebetweema bar pivotally connects ed at'one end to the apron, awlookebodyhaving:

a bore receivinglthebar,iloekingmeans infhe body for: gripping; the bar, va'trans-verse :rock; shaft supported: from the-chair frame a-ndi extending through Sflifils'bjOdY providing: a:

pivotal support therefore, lock holding:

means interposed between said: rock shaft and locking; means, and" a foot pedali ope'rae tively oonnectedito thetransverse; rocl shaft. for actuation thereof? to release said-holdings and locking means;

2. In-combination with a chair havingnn adjustable back. and apron-pivotally mountr ed on the chair frame with linked-connections: therebetween, aibar pivotally connected to;

the. apron, a (lock body-having alborereceive' ing' the bar and an openingvextendiiiginto the bore, a shoe freely fitted'in the opening'andI adapted to engage With the ban-a treadle operated transverse rock shaft" extending through the body and" having? supportimg;

means connected to the chair'frame; a: cam

journaled inthe body andengagihgthe*shoe" to forceit 'into engagement With'thebar; a

lever connected to the cam; and'mea-ns'on-tliei transverse rock shaft for operat1ng= thelever to release the shoe from'engagementwith'the bar.

Intestimony whereof; I ha-ve=hereuntoset 7 my hand thi's lst -day ofJMay; 1930- 7 ROBE-RT E. K'OGHS' 

